Editing, Revising and Polishing your work

Editing Checklist - Spelling & Grammar

Have you ever read an assignment that is good, but filled with grammar and spelling mistakes? Lots of errors make reading difficulty to digest. Due to the use of slang, abbreviations, and lack of punctuation in texting and social media, grammar has taken a hit. The following tips may also help you spot specific (and common) grammar mistakes that every writer should be aware of. Always read your work aloud to help catch your mistakes and avoid over-relying on spell-check.

Capitalization

Capitalize proper nouns: names of things, such as Georgian College. Do NOT capitalize common nouns, such as descriptions. Ex. the local college

Mechanical Problems with Quotations

Periods and commas go inside quotation marks. Semicolons, colons, and dashes go outside the closing quotation mark. The position of question marks and exclamation depends on their question or exclamation

Correct: She yelled, "Help!" I won a copy of "Wrecking Ball"! She asked, "Are you hungry?" Did he just ask, "Are we in Hungary?"

"There Are" Sentences

Can improve on statements that start with There are or There is

Worse: There are 10,000 books in the library

Better: The library has 10,000 books

Vague pronoun reference

Confusing: Lisa annoyed Becky, but that did not stop her from asking for a meeting

Clear: Lisa annoyed Becky, but that did not stop Becky from asking for a meeting

Lack of Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

John is a good boy. It comes to school everyday

If two antecedents are joined by either/or, the pronoun agrees with the antecedent closest to it. Either Michael or his friends will bring their video games to the party

The pronoun must agree with the antecedent, not the object of the prepositional phrase. Each of the dogs needs its own crate

Unnecessary Shift in Verb Tense

Wrong: Lamar barricaded the door while Mark is watching the play

Right: Lamar barricaded the door while Mark watched the play

Sentence Fragments

Wrong: Because she was late. And I held the door

Right: I held the door because she was late

Monotonous Sentence Structure

Monotonous: We were running late. I called the office. Lisa answered the phone. Lisa told Mark. Mark stalled the investors

Improved: I called the office because we were late. Lisa answered the phone and told Mark, who stalled the investors

Unnecessary Adverbs and Prepositions

Wrong: I was very angry that Tenisha sat down on the wet paint

Better: I was furious that Tenisha sat on the wet paint

Parallelism Errors

Not Parallel: Tutors like singing, chatting, and check their phone

Parallel: Tutors like singing, chatting, and checking their phones

Passive Voice

Passive: The bell was rung by the salesperson

Active: The salesperson rang the bell

Missing Comma After Introductory Element

Wrong: In the future I will remember to use commas

Right: In the future, I will remember to use commas

Unnecessary Comma

Wrong: Shannon likes tigers, and visits the jungle often

Right: Shannon likes tigers and visits the jungle often

Run-on Sentences

Wrong: I ate cake I played games

Right: I ate cake, and I played games

Right: I ate cake and played games

Missing Comma in a Compound Sentence

Wrong: All my friends came for the party Friday and Ted visited me the next day

Right: All my friends came for the party Friday, and Ted visited me the next day

Missing Comma with a Non-restrictive Element

Wrong: Watches which are worn on your wrist come in many styles

Right: Watches, which are worn on your wrist, come in many styles

Quotations Marks for Emphasis

"Free" kid's meals on Tuesdays

Free kid's meals on Tuesdays

Apostrophe Errors

It's means it is or it has. Its is the possessive form of it. to make acronyms, initialism, and years plural, do not use apostrophes (IDs, 2000s)

Once you have looked over yourself for spelling mistakes, run a spellcheck just in case (but don’t become over reliant on this tool)!

Editing Tips

Top Tips for Editing

1. Allow time to check work and make changes

The number one mistake students make is not allowing enough time to read through and correct errors in written work.

2. Keep it simple and concise

Using “big words” does not necessarily make it a more scholarly paper. If you need to add words to make the paper long enough, that’s a sign that more content is needed.

3. Read the paper out loud and have someone else read it over

Sometimes hearing the words can help with identifying errors. After a while, it’s hard to see mistakes because the words are so familiar. If it sounds awkward when read aloud, it probably needs to be re-worded.

4. Go to the Writing Centre

Writing Centre staff are able to advise on most aspects of grammar, style and APA documentation. Faculty and peer tutors are available during each shift for 30 minute sessions. You can book a 30 minute appointment online or drop-in.

*Online or phone appointments are available for students who live far from campus, or attend a campus with no Writing Centre.

5. Review assignment instructions

It may be necessary to check with the course instructor when unsure of the requirements for the assignment. Use the instructions, or a rubric if provided, to ensure you have completed and included all of the necessary components.

Revision Checklist

Content

The essay's main point is clear and sharply focused The thesis statement is supported by the body of the paper The thesis statement is easily identified Each point is detailed and supported by research All research used is relevant to the topic and supports my thesis In-text citations are present for all concepts I have taken from my sources All in-text citations are connected to an entry in my Reference List (except for a personal conversation)

Organization

The essay has a definite introduction, conclusion and at least two main points with explanation The essay is formatted according to APA requirements or as required by my professor The order of the essay makes sense and it flows from one point to the next in a logical way Each paragraph sticks to one point and supports the whole argument of the essay I have the number of paragraphs required to make my point effectively. Each new topic is discussed in a separate paragraph

Style

Each sentence can be understood the first time it is read I have used formal language with no slang or "text message language" I have not "padded" my essay with unnecessary words Repetitive words and phrases have been removed. I have checked the meaning of words to be sure I am using them in the right context

Grammar and Spelling

I have used spell check and grammar check All my verbs match their subject (He runs, they run) and the tenses are consistent (past, present or future) I have the right pronouns replacing nouns (e.g. The man who… The house that…)

I have visited the Writing Centre in the Library for additional help and advice.

Craft of Editing

Check your work

Use a spell checker to catch any spelling errors or typos

Use a grammar checker, and correct any errors that you understand

Print out a hard copy of your work and read through it

Ensure you are using Canadian spellings instead of American (e.g., colour versus color, honour versus honor, favourite versus favorite)

Read your work

Read your work aloud, not silently in your head

Listen to your own voice to hear any mistakes

If you stumble while reading a sentence, there is probably an error

Print it out! Reading a printed copy can help

Have someone else read your work aloud to you

Pay attention to the small details

Re-read your work aloud using a pen or pencil as a guide

Point to each word on your page with the pen or pencil

Make any corrections, then print out another hard copy and read again

Ask a friend

Ask a friend to read your work, looking for any editing changes

Make any corrections and print another hard copy

Re-read your work again

Allow enough time to review previously written work

Review other written assignments you have completed to see previous mistakes

Read your present work to determine if you are repeating mistakes, and make any corrections to your final document

Make your best effort to edit your paper, then visit the Writing Centre for help!